A Tough Victory for Eastbourne 1st XV

A few changes for the starting line-up, Nick King out due to injury, Forwards Matthew Mottram unavailable due to a Red card from the previous week’s game but maintain strength by the return of James Coultard at Full back and Jon Oakey and Dan Keen on the bench.

Seaford started to test Eastbourne’s defence by spreading the ball wide and their number 11 and 12 trying to find gaps moving towards Eastbourne’s own 22 area or placing kicks to their right hand corner finding touch several times but Eastbourne did defend with the forwards holding off attempts by Seaford to gain early points. Seaford did get an opportunity following a penalty and opted to convert but just pulling wide of the posts. With the pitch heavy underfoot and the rain continuing to fall it quickly turned into a forwards game maintaining possession of the ball and both sides not allowing the other to break through. Several opportunities presented to get Eastbourne on the scoring sheet, a scrum 5 meters from Seaford’s try line which Eastbourne dominated driving forward and over the line only to knock on the ball and then a penalty awarded to Eastbourne and James Coultard stepped up safely converting for Eastbourne to take the lead: 0-3
Although Seaford had a slightly higher percentage of possession, following a scrum just inside Eastbourne’s half the ball was passed down the line but watched by Steve Clark and quickly acted seizing an opportunity to intercept the ball sprinting towards the Seaford’s try line unable to be caught scoring the first try of the game with the delight of the spectators. James Coultard converted adding to the score line: 0-10

The first half concluded with Seaford unable to convert a penalty to close the point’s gap.
With the conditions getting worse and the light fading, Jon Oakey took to the field in the second half replacing Stefan Cousin’s having taken a knock within a tackle, Eastbourne found themselves down to 14 players as Tom Redman sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes due to deliberate off-side and Seaford upping their game testing Eastbourne’s tackling ability and with a break down the touch line forced Eastbourne to make a try saving tackle by James Coultard 15 meters from Eastbourne’s try line.

10 mins before the final whistle Dan Keen replaced Richard Barron and again the forwards camped out on Seaford’s 5 meter line trying to drive over the line came another much deserved try from Captain Joe Tobin, standing out of the ruck to receive the ball driving over the line to score Eastbourne’s second try but this time not converted: 0-15.
Again a true test for Eastbourne and their 8th win out of 9 games with the final score being 0-15 to Eastbourne.

Man of Match: Rob Fenner – Number 14 - Winger